Portable table apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a portable table that has one supporting leg that can be locked with a protective cage of a propane tank. A plurality of spaced legs, including the lockable leg, supports a tabletop. The legs have telescopically extendable portions and are vertically adjustable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a portable table apparatus, and more particularly, to a portable table, which safely locks to a propane tank or propane cylinder for use in an outdoor setting.

When cooking outdoors, many people prefer to use convenient charcoal grills for their meal preparation. However, in recent years more and more outdoor cooks are turning to the more efficient models operated by natural gas and propane. Not only do these gas grills light much faster, but they also allow the cook to easy regulate temperature without having to move the food from a hot area of a charcoal grill to a position away from the open flames.

Propane tanks or propane cylinders gained considerable popularity and can be easy filled or exchanged at numerous stations, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and the like. Many conventional grill models are manufactured to be used with a propane tank, which can be easily set next to the grill and connected by standard conduits.

In many outdoor settings, such as for instance at a mountain camp site or on a river bank, it is difficult to find a large area with level ground. Such space is needed to set up tables, chairs, as well as a cooking preparation area and the grill. The propane tank is usually positioned in such area as well. Many campers use various do-it-yourself crude devices to level the legs of a grill, table, etc. Pieces of wood, small stones and other such available resources are used by many.

The present invention contemplates provision of a portable table, which can be provided in a kit assembly, to allow locking of the table to a standard propane tank or propane cylinder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a portable table apparatus that can be locked to a propane tank.

It is another object of the invention to provide a kit of a portable table assembly that can be easily locked to a standard propane tank.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of a portable table apparatus, which locks to a propane tank having a cylindrical body with an upper spherical cap, a valve assembly and a protective cage surrounding the valve assembly, the protective cage having an upper edge and a lower portion. The portable table apparatus has a tabletop and a plurality of horizontally spaced detachable legs, one of such plurality of detachable legs being disposed to lock with the protective cage while resting on the upper edge of the protective cage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the table apparatus of the present invention locked to a propane tank.

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the tank-supported leg and the locking assembly.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10 designates the table apparatus according to the present invention. The table apparatus 10 comprises a tabletop 12 supported by legs 14, 16, and 18. The tabletop 12 can be formed from a variety of materials, such as for instance plastic, wood, or metal. The tabletop 12 can be round, rectangular or square in shape. In one of the preferred embodiments, the tabletop 12 is made from a piece of ⅛″ sheet metal that is 24″×24″ in size.

The tabletop 12 is provided with a peripheral lip 20, which extends about the peripheral edge of the tabletop. In one of the preferred embodiment, where the tabletop is made of metal, the sheet of metal is cut at corners and the four edges are bent upwardly at 90 degrees to form the peripheral lip 20 having a height of about one inch. The tray-shaped tabletop 12 and the peripheral lip 20 help in retaining items placed on the tabletop 12 if the table is accidentally pushed. The liquid is also retained on an upper surface 22 thanks to the peripheral lip 20.

The tabletop 12 is formed as a planar body or plate having a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 24. The bottom surface 24 has stationary upper portions 26, 28, and 30 of the legs 14, 16, and 18, respectively, affixed thereto. When the tabletop is made of metal, the upper portions 26, 28 and 30 of the legs can be welded to the bottom surface 24. In one of the preferred embodiments, the upper portions 26 and 28 are about four inches long, while the upper portion 30 is about 11 inches long. The upper portions 26, 28 and 30 can be formed from ¾″ tubing.

The legs 14, 16, and 18 also comprise telescopically slidably movable lower portions 32, 34, and 36, respectively. The upper portions 26, 28, and 30 and the lower portions 32, 34, and 36 are formed as tubular bodies, with the lower portions 32, 34, and 36 telescopically movable over the upper portions 26, 28 and 30. In one of the preferred embodiments, the lower portions 32 and 34 of the legs 14 and 16 are about 26 inches long and the lower portion 36 of the leg 30 is about 14 inches long. The lower portions 32, 34, and 36 can be formed from one-inch square tubing.

An opening is formed a distance from the top of the lower portions 32, 34, and 36, and a plurality of vertically spaced openings is made in the upper portions 26, 28 and 30. An internally threaded locking nut (not shown) is secured to the lower portions 32, 34, and 36. An externally threaded locking knob 38, 40 and 42 is threadably engaged within the nut. Each of the locking knobs 38, 40 and 42 is disposed to threadably engage the locking nut and extend through aligned openings made in the leg portions 26/32, 28/34 and 30/36. By moving the lower portions up and down along the upper portions of the legs, the user can extend to the height of the tabletop 12 in relation to the ground.

Bottom portions 15 and 17 of the legs 14 and 16 are provided with a foot plat 19, 21, respectively, which extends transversely to longitudinal axes of their respective legs 14 and 16. The foot plates 19 and 21 have greater horizontal surface than the bottom portions 15 or 17. The foot plates 19 and 21 are disposed to rest on the ground and provide larger support area for the table apparatus 10. The larger area prevents the foot plates 14 and 16 from sinking into the soil. Since the height of each leg is independently adjustable the user can vary the length of the legs taking into account uneven ground, on which the table 10 is positioned.

Conventional propane tanks or propane cylinders, such as the tank 50 shown in FIG. 1, have a cylindrical body 52 with an upper spherical cap 54. Extending upwardly from the upper spherical cap 54 is a valve assembly 56, which can be connected by a conduit 58 to a grill. A protective cage 60 surrounds the valve assembly 56, leaving access to the conduit 58. The protective cage 60 thus surrounds approximately three quarters of the valve assembly 56. The protective cage 60 has an upper edge 62 and a lower portion 64. The protective cage 60 has one or more openings 68, which serve as a handle for manually carrying the propane tank 50. Such propane tanks are standard and do not form a part of the instant invention.

A bottom part 70 of the lower portion 36 of the leg 18 is vertically split into opposing parallel segments 72 and 74. The segments 72 and 74 can be 5 inches long, preferably at least slightly greater than the height of the protective cage 60 of the propane tank 50. A gap 76 is formed between opposing parallel faces of the segments 72 and 74. The gap 76 is at least slightly wider than thickness of the cage wall 60 and has a length substantially equal to the height of the protective cage 60. When the bottom part 70 of the leg 18 is engaged with the cage 60 the upper edge 62 of the cage abuts against a transverse shoulder 71 on top of the gap 76, as shown in the detail view of FIG. 2.

An aperture 80 is formed in the segment 74 of the leg 18, and an internally threaded nut 84 is fitted in the aperture 80. A washer 86 surrounds the aperture 80, with an opening 87 in the washer 86 being aligned with the aperture 80. A tightening screw 90 is disposed for engagement within the aligned opening 87 and the aperture 80. The tightening screw 90 has an externally threaded portion, which matches the threads of the internally threaded nut 84. Rotation of the screw 90 tightens the bottom part 70 with the cage 60, thereby locking the leg 18 on the cage of the propane tank 50. As a result, the tabletop 12 is supported by two legs 14 and 16, which rest on the ground and the third leg 18, which is locked with a heavy propane tank 50.

To assemble the table 10, the user positions the propane tank 50 in a desired location and attaches the conduit 58 to the burner and the tank 50. The detachable leg portion 36 is then positioned on the cage 60 and tightened in relation to the cage using the tightening screw 90. Next, the lower portions 32 and 34 of the legs 14 and 16, respectively are engaged with the upper portions 26 and 28. The tabletop 12 is then lowered so that the lower portion 36 of the leg 18 and the upper portion thereof align. The height of the legs 14, 16, and 18 is then properly adjusted taking into account the terrain so that the tabletop 12 is horizontally evenly positioned. The adjustment screws 38, 40 and 42 are used to adjust extension of the legs 14, 16, and 18.

A kit of the table apparatus 10 is envisioned to have all elements for setting up the table, including the tabletop 12 with the attached upper portions 26, 28, and 30 of the legs, the detachable lower portions 32, 34, and 36 of the legs and the detachable screws 38, 40, 42, and 90.

The table apparatus 10 can be used for outdoor cooking, camping, tailgating, backyard cooking, etc. It can be used to set up a food preparation/service area in an expeditious and easy manner. The portable table apparatus 10 can be used with any conventional propane tank. The table apparatus 10 can be advantageously set up on unlevel ground and offer stability to the items placed on the tabletop. The table 10 is lightweight, easy to clean and wash and easy to store when not in use. The portable apparatus 10 can be set up and taken down within one minute. Compared to other collapsible tables, it can be made out of aluminum, stainless steel, iron, plastic and other available materials.

It is envisioned that the table 10 can be also used as a three-legged table without using the propane tank. Many other changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A portable table apparatus, which locks to a propane tank having a cylindrical body with an upper spherical cap, a valve assembly and a protective cage surrounding the valve assembly, the protective cage having an upper edge and a lower portion, the apparatus comprising a tabletop and a plurality of horizontally spaced detachable legs, one of such plurality of detachable legs being disposed to lock with the protective cage.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, said plurality of legs comprises a first leg extending from an underside of the tabletop, a second leg extending from the underside of the tabletop and a third leg, a lower part of the third leg being disposed to rest on the upper edge of the protective cage.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, each of said legs comprising an upper portion fixedly attached to the underside of the tabletop.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, each of said leg comprising a lower portion telescopically slidably engageable with a respective upper portion.
 5. The apparatus of claim , comprising a means for selectively adjusting length of the legs in relation to the tabletop.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, said means for selectively adjusting length of the legs comprising locking knobs extending through aligned openings formed in the upper portions and the lower portions of the legs.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2, said first leg and said second leg carrying a foot plate on a bottom thereof, said foot plate having larger horizontal surface than the bottom of a respective leg.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, each of the foot plates extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the respective leg.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2, said lower part of the third leg is provided with a vertical slit dividing the lower part of the third leg into opposing parallel segments.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, said slit forming a gap, said gap having a predetermined length and width and terminating in a transverse shoulder a distance from a bottom edge of the third leg.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, the gap being sufficiently long and wide to receive the protective cage therein such that the transverse shoulder rests on the upper edge of the protective cage.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising a means for tightening the lower part of the third leg on the protective cage.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, said means for tightening the lower part of the third leg on the protective cage comprises a tightening screw extending through a segment of the lower part of the third leg and abutting the protective cage.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, the tabletop comprising a generally planar plate having an upwardly extending peripheral lip.
 15. A portable table apparatus, which locks to a propane tank having a cylindrical body with an upper spherical cap, a valve assembly and a protective cage surrounding the valve assembly, the protective cage having an upper edge and a lower portion, the apparatus comprising a substantially planar tabletop with upwardly extending peripheral lip and a plurality of horizontally spaced detachable legs, one of such plurality of detachable legs being disposed to lock with the protective cage, said plurality of legs comprises a first leg extending from an underside of the tabletop, a second leg extending from the underside of the tabletop and a third leg, a lower part of the third leg being disposed to rest on the upper edge of the protective cage.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, each of said legs comprising an upper portion fixedly attached to the underside of the tabletop and a lower portion telescopically slidably engageable with a respective upper portion.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising a means for selectively adjusting length of the legs in relation to the tabletop, said means for selectively adjusting length of the legs comprising locking knobs extending through aligned openings formed in the upper portions and the lower portions of the legs.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15, said first leg and said second leg carrying a foot plate on a bottom thereof, said foot plate having larger horizontal surface than the bottom of a respective leg, each of the foot plates extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the respective leg.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15, said lower part of the third leg is provided with a vertical slit dividing the lower part of the third leg into opposing parallel segments, said slit forming a gap, said gap having a predetermined length and width and terminating in a transverse shoulder a distance from a bottom edge of the third leg.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, the gap being sufficiently long and wide to receive the protective cage therein such that the transverse shoulder rests on the upper edge of the protective cage.
 21. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising a means for tightening the lower part of the third leg on the protective cage, said means for tightening the lower part of the third leg on the protective cage comprising a tightening screw extending through a segment of the lower part of the third leg and abutting the protective cage.
 22. A portable table apparatus kit assembly, comprising a tabletop and a plurality of detachable legs disposed for securing to an underside of the tabletop, at least one of the plurality of the detachable legs being disposed for locking with a propane tank while resting on the propane tank.
 23. The assembly of claim 22, said at least one leg having a slit formed in a bottom part and defining a gap of sufficient length and width to extend over a protective cage of the propane tank.
 24. The assembly of claim 23, comprising a means for tightening the lower part of the third leg on the protective cage, said means for tightening the lower part of the third leg on the protective cage comprising a tightening screw extending through a segment of the lower part of the at least one of the plurality of legs and abutting the protective cage.
 25. The apparatus of claim 22, said plurality of legs comprises a first leg extending from an underside of the tabletop, a second leg extending from the underside of the tabletop and a third leg, a lower part of the third leg being disposed to rest on an upper edge of the protective cage, each of said legs comprising an upper portion fixedly attached to the underside of the tabletop and a lower portion telescopically slidably engageable with a respective upper portion.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25, comprising a means for selectively adjusting length of the legs in relation to the tabletop, said means for selectively adjusting length of the legs comprising locking knobs extending through aligned openings formed in the upper portions and the lower portions of the legs.
 27. The apparatus of claim 25, said first leg and said second leg carrying a foot plate on a bottom thereof, said foot plate having larger horizontal surface than the bottom of a respective leg, each of the foot plates extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the respective leg.
 28. The apparatus of claim 1, the tabletop comprising a generally planar plate having an upwardly extending peripheral lip. 